Shane
Shane is based on a classic western novel by Jack Schaefer. I remember reading it as a kid. Schaefer’s treatment of the fist fight scenes was so vivid you could almost feel the blows. The movie, also a classic, came to the big screen in 1953. Produced in Technicolor by Paramount Pictures, directed by George Stevens based on a screen play by A.B. Guthrie Jr. Critically acclaimed for its landscape cinematography and performances the show starred Alan Ladd in the title role, Van Heflin as homesteader Joe Starrett, Jean Arthur as Joe’s wife Marian and Brandon deWilde as young Joey Starrett with Emile Meyer as rancher Rufus Ryker.
Both book and movie are set in Wyoming in 1889. Range historically open to cattle ranching is being claimed and settled under the Homestead Act of 1862. From that premise the screen play departs from the book to various degrees. We’ll follow the screen play as the TV series would take its lead from the film. Cattle baron Rufus Ryker angered by the homesteaders, wages a war of intimidation to drive them off their land.
A stranger with a mysterious past, known only as Shane arrives at the Starrett farm. When Shane shows interest in Starrett’s troubles, Joe offers him a job. Shane will have none of the intimidation by Ryker or his gunmen and ruffians. He takes a peaceful approach at first; but when the bullying tactics continue Shane fights back.
Young Joey comes to idolize Shane for his toughness and gun skills, much to his mother’s displeasure. When Ryker sets up Joe Starrett for a gunfight intended to kill him, Shane steps in knocks the farmer out and stands in for the showdown. Joey follows him to town. Shane kills Ryker and his assassin. With his gunfighter background exposed Shane rides off over Joey’s pleas “Shane! Come back!”
The TV series cast David Carradine as Shane, with Jill Ireland as a Marion Starrett, widowed for romantic interest and Christopher Shea as Joey. The well made one hour color series never caught on. Carradine wasn’t Alan Ladd. The show aired opposite Jackie Gleason on CBS and Flipper on NBC at a time when western interest had begun to wane.
Next Week: High Chaparral
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Ride easy,
Paul
Both book and movie are set in Wyoming in 1889. Range historically open to cattle ranching is being claimed and settled under the Homestead Act of 1862. From that premise the screen play departs from the book to various degrees. We’ll follow the screen play as the TV series would take its lead from the film. Cattle baron Rufus Ryker angered by the homesteaders, wages a war of intimidation to drive them off their land.
A stranger with a mysterious past, known only as Shane arrives at the Starrett farm. When Shane shows interest in Starrett’s troubles, Joe offers him a job. Shane will have none of the intimidation by Ryker or his gunmen and ruffians. He takes a peaceful approach at first; but when the bullying tactics continue Shane fights back.
Young Joey comes to idolize Shane for his toughness and gun skills, much to his mother’s displeasure. When Ryker sets up Joe Starrett for a gunfight intended to kill him, Shane steps in knocks the farmer out and stands in for the showdown. Joey follows him to town. Shane kills Ryker and his assassin. With his gunfighter background exposed Shane rides off over Joey’s pleas “Shane! Come back!”
The TV series cast David Carradine as Shane, with Jill Ireland as a Marion Starrett, widowed for romantic interest and Christopher Shea as Joey. The well made one hour color series never caught on. Carradine wasn’t Alan Ladd. The show aired opposite Jackie Gleason on CBS and Flipper on NBC at a time when western interest had begun to wane.
Next Week: High Chaparral
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
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